Trade picture will become clear for Rays, others  —  When you are the Tampa Bay Rays, this is your reality: you have the sixth-best record in the American League, you have the smallest payroll, and you are in third place in the East, eight games in the loss column behind the Yankees.

Look for big moves from Rangers  —  Remember when the Texas Rangers had no money?  Last July, for example?  —  Back then, in the final days of Tom Hicks' bankrupt ownership, the Rangers still were quite active, making five trades before July 31 and getting cash back in all of them.

Nationals Acquire Jonny Gomes  —  The Nationals announced that they have acquired Jonny Gomes and cash considerations from the Reds for outfielder Bill Rhinehart and left-hander Chris Manno (Twitter links).  The Reds have confirmed the move and announced that they're calling up Yonder Alonso in a corresponding move.

Ortiz, Pedroia power slugfest as Red Sox beat Royals  —  BOSTON — David Ortiz had four hits and five RBIs, and Dustin Pedroia had four of Boston's 16 hits Tuesday night to lead the Red Sox to a 13-9 victory over the Kansas City Royals, their 18th win in 22 games.

Jered Weaver wins 8th straight as Angels top Indians 2-1  —  CLEVELAND - Jered Weaver earned his eighth straight win as Mark Trumbo doubled home two runs and the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Cleveland Indians 2-1 on Tuesday night.  —  Weaver (14-4) gave up one run over seven innings …

Market for B.J. Upton doesn't lack intrigue  —  The trade market for outfielder B.J. Upton(notes) is “interesting,” as one Tampa Bay Rays official put it Tuesday, and as it develops one thing is becoming clearer: If the Rays deal Upton, they're very likely to get a greater bounty …

Pujols' homer lifts Cards over Astros  —  ST. LOUIS — Albert Pujols got the St. Louis Cardinals off to a quick start with a two-run first inning homer, and starter Jake Westbrook made it hold up with six innings of one-run ball as the Cardinals defeated the slumping Houston Astros 3-1 on Tuesday night.

Vance Worley 3-hits Giants for Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA - Rookie right-hander Vance Worley threw a three-hitter and Chase Utley hit an inside-the-park homer to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 7-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night in a matchup of the NL's top teams.

Braun, McGehee, bullpen lifts Brewers over Cubs  —  MILWAUKEE — Ryan Braun doubled in a run, former Cubs prospect Casey McGehee added a two-run triple and the Brewers bullpen tossed four scoreless innings to lift Milwaukee to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.

La Russa: Rasmus doesn't listen to coaches  —  ST. LOUIS — Continuing an ongoing saga, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa told a St. Louis television station on Tuesday that outfielder Colby Rasmus “doesn't listen” to the team's coaches.  It's the latest development in a lengthy series …

Mauer's Double Caps Twins' Comeback Over Rangers  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Joe Mauer drove in the go-ahead run with a pinch hit double off closer Neftali Feliz in a two-run ninth and the Minnesota Twins rallied for a 9-8 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.

What Ken Williams was really saying  —  When White Sox GM Ken Williams said Monday that he might “turn over the entire roster” in an interview with ESPN Chicago, many in baseball figured it was just Kenny being Kenny, engaging in his usual hyperbole.  —  Not necessarily.

Jays lose star Bautista to injury, game to Orioles  —  TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays lost star Jose Bautista when he was hit by a pitch, then fell apart in an ugly 12-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.  —  Bautista was smoked in the head by a 91-m.p.h. fastball …